Deborah L. Cole, 72, formerly of Bolivar Drive, Bradford, passed away, Friday December 13, 2024, at the Bradford Ecumenical Home.
Born March 11, 1952, in Bradford, she was a daughter of the late Charles Lee Cole and Peggy Ann Kramer.
She was a 1970 graduate from Bradford High School and attended Edinboro University.
Deb worked for Charles Day Interior Designer for a short time before being employed by W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery. She retired from KOA Speer Electronics, Inc. in 2016 after 29 years.
Deb was an avid knitter and was a member of the knitting group at St. Francis.
Paul R. Plants “beloved husband, father, grandfather, and servant of the Lord”
Paul R. Plants went to be with Jesus Christ his Savior surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, December 15, 2024 at the age of 87 after a short illness.
He was born on September 28, 1937 in Kane, PA to Ruben and Grace Tanner Plants. On July 19, 1958, Paul married the former Eloise Babcock and for 67 years they worked to build a family, run a farm, and start a business.
Paul enlisted in the Army in 1958 where he was stationed in Fort Benning, GA and was recognized for several accomplishments during his active duty.
When he returned to Champlin Hollow after serving in the Army, he and Eloise bought the farm owned by his parents and began six decades of raising kids and cattle. Also at this time, Paul returned to his job at Acme Electric in Allegany, NY, where he would work second shift for the next 27 years. The last several years at Acme he served as plant manager.
Charles E. “J.R.” BACH, Jr., 82, of Galeton, PA, died Friday, December 13, 2024 in Sena-Kean Manor, Smethport.
Born April 12, 1942, in Johnstown, he was the son of Charles E. and Clara May Burkhart Bach. On October 22, 1988, in the First United Presbyterian Church, Coudersport, he married Joy Conable, who survives. A 1960 graduate of Johnstown Central High School, he served honorably with the U.S. Army from 1960 – 1964. He attended Robert Morris Junior College and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology from the University of Iowa, where he played on the football team.
He was employed by the PA Fish Commission, Potter County Children and Youth, and was the Vice President of Human Service Providers in Mansfield. J.R. served on the Potter County Board of Commissioners, Galeton Area School Board, and Cole Hospital Authority. He was a member of the Galeton and Ulysses Masonic Lodges and the American Legion.
Edward L. Colvin, 87, passed away Monday, December 9, 2024, in Lancaster, PA. Born in Corning, NY he was the son of the late Frederick and Ruth (Simpson) Colvin.
He was a graduate of Addison High School. Ed worked for Ingersoll Rand for a time, worked as a logger, and later a well driller. He was most known for the time he spent managing a lab rabbit farm. After raising his family in Potter and Tioga counties, he moved to Branson, MO for his retirement years where he enjoyed fishing daily at Table Rock Lake.
Ed was an avid hunter, fisherman and Ginseng digger.
Shirley J. Culp, 81, of Galeton, PA, passed away on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at UPMC Cole, Coudersport, PA.
She was a Valentine baby being born on February 14, 1943 in Renovo, PA. She was a daughter of the late Russell McKinley and John and Martha (Bowers) Miller. She was a 1962 graduate of Renovo High School. On October 15, 1966, she married Kenneth Culp, who preceded her in death on August 16, 2018. Shirley worked at Smith of Galeton Gloves before retiring. She enjoyed gardening, riding four wheelers, loved hummingbirds and Christmas was her favorite time of year.
Jerome Kennedy “Jerry” Copley, 90, of Wellsboro, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, December 13, 2024. He was born October 12, 1934, in Asaph, PA, the son of the late Wayne and Nellie (Parsons) Copley. He married Nina Mae Bowers in 1961 and would have celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on December 22.
Jerry graduated from Wellsboro-Charleston High School, Class of 1953. He served in the US Airforce; then joined the US Army National Guard and was activated and deployed for the Cuban Missile Crisis. Jerry worked for the PA Employment Office as a Disabled Veterans Representative and was a former Delmar Township Supervisor. He was a member of the Stony Fork Baptist Church and attended the Dexter Baptist Church. He was a 50–year member of the Ossea Lodge #317 of the Free and Accepted Masons; American Legion Post 84; a Life Member of the NRA; an executive board member of the Nessmuk Rod & Gun Club; and was an avid hunter.
Jane Carol Atwater, of Machias, NY passed away on December 12, 2024 at the Wyoming County Community Hospital in Warsaw, NY at the age of 88.
She was born on April 11, 1936 in Bradford, PA to the late Carl Reynolds and Francis (Newton) Baldwin.
Jane married the love of her life (the late) Donald Atwater of Elton, NY on June 20th, 1953 who predeceased her in death in 2009. The couple had 5 children, Ronald (Hope) Atwater of Arcade, NY, Carol Davies of Machias, NY, Barbara (the late Lynn) Schoepflin of Arcade, NY, Debra (Daniel Pitonack) Callahan of Machias, NY, the late Robert (Rebecka-surviving) Atwater of Delevan. Jane is also survived by their foster children Trinket Gack of El Paso, TX, Tina (Rob) Tilton of North Carolina, Louise (Tom) Dille of North Carolina, Cathy (Dave) Colin of Salamanca, NY, Rebecca Maxim of Florida, Fred Sherman of Pennsylvania, 30 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and 9 great great grandchildren. Debby (Cliff) Anthony, Chris Reynolds and David Reynolds are her surviving siblings all of Bradford, PA.
H. Donald “Don” Austin, 82, of Shinglehouse, passed away on Friday, December 13, 2024, in Sweden Valley Manor, Coudersport, after a long illness.
Born on Thursday, July 16, 1942 in the Mountain Clinic in Olean, NY, he was a son of Howard E. and Mary E. Taylor Austin. On January 23, 1971 he married Laura H. Houck Kochel, who passed away on July 31, 1986.
Don was a graduate of Oswayo Valley High School, Class of 1960, Shinglehouse. Following graduation, he enjoyed farming with his father. Don retired from Pierce Glass in Port Allegany.
Mikell R. Haskins “beloved mother, grandmother, and sister”
Mrs. Mikell R. Haskins, 85, a longtime resident of Coudersport, passed away on Thursday December 12, 2024, at Sweden Valley Manor, Coudersport, after a long illness.
Born on Sunday, July 2, 1939 in Buffalo, NY, she was a daughter of Robert and Winifred Kelly Quimby. On December 31, 1960 in Coudersport, she married Paul S. Haskins, who passed away on May 15, 2018.
Mikell graduated from high school in Kenmore, NY. She was a preschool teacher at the Park United Methodist Church.
Charles E. “J.R.” BACH, Jr., 82, of Galeton, PA, died Friday, December 13, 2024. Arrangements will be announced by Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory, Ulysses, PA. Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfoust.com.
Edward L. Colvin, 87, of Lancaster, passed away Monday, December 9, 2024 at LGH. Born in Corning, NY he was the son of the late Frederick and Ruth (Simpson) Colvin.
He was a graduate of Addison High School. Ed worked for Ingersoll Rand as a logger, later as a well driller and most recently managed a rabbit lab farm. After retirement he lived most of his retirement years in and around Branson, MO where he enjoyed fishing daily at Table Rock Lake.
Ed was an avid hunter, fisherman and Ginseng digger.
He is survived by his five children: Lee Colvin (Starla) of Westfield, PA, Gayla Anderson (Marvin) of Louisville, KY, Craig Colvin of Colorado Springs, CO, Thomas Colvin (Dixie) of Lancaster, and Anthony Colvin (Carrie) of Hurricane, UT; 17 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren; siblings, Wanda Vance of James City, PA, Kara Bradstreet of PA, Melen Fox (Dennis) of FL, and Gary Colvin of AL. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Frederick Colvin Jr., Maynard Colvin, Richard Colvin, Eleanor Brown and Janet Smithers.
A Gathering to celebrate Ed’s life will be held from 1-4PM on Friday, December 20, 2024 at Tri Town Fire Department, 810 State Rte 49, Ulysses, PA 16948. To send an online condolence, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com.
Bachman Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory 717-687-7644
Robert L. “Boats” Spencer, age 58, of Wellsboro, PA, passed away on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 with his loving wife Theresa by his side.
He was born on July 11, 1966 in Elmira, NY a son of the late Llewellyn and June (DeLong) Spencer and was married to Theresa A. (Holzwarth) Spencer. Rob greatly loved his bikes “Christine” and “Amazing Grace” and rode many many miles both locally and cross country several times. In addition to riding motorcycles, Rob enjoyed traveling, taking cruises, hunting, fishing and camping. Rob was a career Navy man who crossed the equator several times.
He was stationed on both sides of the US multiple times and his favorite location was San Diego, CA. He was a member of the Mansfield VFW, Blossburg American Legion, CVMA-1910, God’s Country ABATE, Westfield Sons of Hiram M.C., Wellsboro Rotary, Tioga County Honor Guard, Ossea Lodge # 317 F & AM, Royal Arch Chapter and the Coudersport Consistory. Rob was an ordained minister through the Universal Life Church, an Eagle Scout and an avid lover of Western movies.
Violet M. Sullivan, 96, of Youngsville, PA, died on Thursday, December 12, 2024, in Kinzua Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Warren, Pa.
She was born on January 1, 1928, the daughter of the late Edmund and Violet Marie Mulvey. Violet enjoyed square dancing, camping, and spending time with her family and friends. She was of the Catholic faith and a member of St. Luke’s Roman Catholic Church in Youngsville.
CERES, NY—Diana R. Hadden, 73, of Ceres, NY, passed away with her loving family by her side on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at Highland Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Wellsville, after a long illness.
Born on Sunday, August 19, 1951 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she was a daughter of Robert H. and Marcella H. Weatherbee Flechner. On April 25, 1970 in Milwaukee, she married David N. “Dave” Hadden, who passed away on March 15, 2022.
Harry W. Conarro, Jr, 93, a resident of Warren, PA, died on December 13, 2024 in his home on Liberty Street in Warren, PA of natural causes.
He was born in Warren on September 13, 1931, the son of the late Eleanor and Harry W. Conarro, Sr. Hal was a lifelong resident of Warren and a 1950 graduate of the Hill School and of Dartmouth College in 1954. While at Dartmouth Hal met Bob Sokolski, his life-long friend and business partner at Whirley Drinkworks, which they founded in 1960.
Judith E. METCALF—BACKER, 78, of Westfield, PA, died Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Friends may call at People’s Church of Potter Brook, 62 Rte. 49, Westfield, PA 16950 on Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM, with a Memorial Service following at 11:00 AM. Arrangements are under the direction of OLNEY-FOUST Funeral Homes & Crematory, Ulysses, PA. Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfoust.com.
Scott G. Schiller, Jr., Major, USAF (Ret), 92, of Emporium, PA passed away on the morning of Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at the Guy & Mary Felt Manor, Emporium, PA. Born January 3, 1932 in Pittsburgh, PA, he was the son of the late Scott G. and Janet Morrell Schiller, Sr. On November 1, 1984, he married his current wife Doris with whom he shared 40 years of marriage.
Scott graduated from Westview High School in 1949 and joined the US Air Force where he served during the Korean and the Vietnam Wars from February 1950 through July 1971. His 22 years of service saw a very unique path. He enlisted at 18 years of age and served as a Ground Control Intercept (Radar) Technician reaching the rank of Technical Sergeant until receiving a Warrant Officer Commission in 1957. During his time as a Warrant Officer, he attended Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training, ultimately receiving his pilot wings and a commission as a Second Lieutenant in 1958. During the remainder of his career, he served as a Transport Pilot, Aircraft Commander, and Instructor Pilot, accumulating over 10,000 flying hours.
He served in numerous locations around the globe, including: Maine, Korea, Texas, Washington, Hawaii, New Jersey, Viet Nam, and Washington D.C.. He was qualified on numerous military and civilian aircraft including, but not limited to: B-25, C-118, C-135, C-141, VC-118, and VC-135. During his distinguished flying career, Major Schiller had the honor of transporting numerous dignitaries, including: ADM Elmo R. Zumwalt (USN), GEN Mark W. Clark (USA), GEN Creighton Abrams (USA), GEN William C. Westmoreland (USA), and the astronauts of the Apollo 11 moon landing (Neil Armstrong, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, Michael Collins). Scott’s final qualification as a military pilot was on the VC-135, also known by some as Air Force One. Major Schiller’s military awards include: The Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Combat Crew Medal, and multiple Campaign Awards from Korea and Viet Nam. He retired honorably from the Air Force in July 1971 at the rank of Major and moved to Emporium.
Jean Thiele Turney, 94, passed away Sunday, December 8th surrounded by her family and adoring husband, Dick, of 72 remarkable years. Born and raised in Maynard, Iowa, Jean will be forever remembered by her deep devotion to family and friends.
Olean- Judith Benson Mark “Loving Wife & Best Friend”
Judith B. Mark, 83, of 716 Grandview Ave. passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving husband and other family members on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at the Olean General Hospital.
Judy was born October 25, 1941 in Olean and was the daughter of Gunnar and Ethel Bergstrom Benson. On July 5, 1969 at the St. Bonaventure Friary Chapel she married her loving husband of 55 years, Terrence J. Mark, who survives.
Charles Eugene BLEDSOE, 75, of Scio, NY, died Tuesday, December 10, 2024 in Robert Packer Hospital Sayre, PA, following a short illness. Born January 30, 1949, in Wellsville, he was the son of Eugene Elijah and Lois Velma Harris Bledsoe.
Diana R. Hadden, 73, of Ceres, NY, passed away with her loving family by her side on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, in High Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Wellsville, after a long illness.
Funeral arrangements, entrusted to the care of Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, PA, are incomplete and will be announced with a full obituary.
Patricia A. Wentz, 68, of Coudersport, PA, entered God’s eternal care Saturday, December 7, 2024, at her home.
Born July 19, 1956, in Baltimore, MD, she was the daughter of Norman and Nora L. (Grote) Sandruck. Patricia was the loving fiancée of James M. Abramczyk.
Patricia was a 1974 graduate of South Western High School, Hanover, PA. She worked as a bookkeeper at W. L. Sterner, Miller & Brown CPA’s, Hilltop Precision Machining, Inc. and then at Pat’s Tax Services and Wilson Bus Transport, both in Coudersport, PA.
Patricia enjoyed crafting, coloring, embroidery, sewing, gardening, arranging flowers, loved working with numbers, and especially loved spending time with her family.
COUDERSPORT, PA–Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1937, Alexandra Smith, affectionately known to her family and friends as, Addie, passed gently from this earth surrounded by her family and the kind staff at Sweden Valley Manor in Coudersport, Pennsylvania on December 11, 2024.
Addie leaves behind a lasting legacy of seven children, twenty grandchildren, and eighteen great-grandchildren. Addie, with her husband, “Smitty”, and 7 children in tow moved to Coudersport from the Philadelphia area in 1972. She worked as a mother, grandmother, Registered Nurse, and animal rescue services volunteer, benefactor, and advocate for the next 52 years. Addie was an avid reader, and loved a good conversation about religion and politics, among many other philosophical and historical topics.
Addie will be remembered and honored as the Matriarch of a large, loving family of God-fearing children. She will be deeply missed until the family reunites on a future date known only to God.
Shirley A. HOSMER, 88, of Scio, NY, died Tuesday, December 10, 2024 in her home. Born January 5, 1936, in Wellsville, she was the daughter of Charles Burwell and Eva Cornwell Pressler. She was married to Charles Edward Hosmer, who predeceased her on March 31, 2014.
Shirley was employed in housekeeping by Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville for 21 years. She was a member of Riverside Assembly of God.
Stephen B. MORLEY, of Adamstown, MD, formerly of Campbell, NY, passed away on Friday, December 6, 2024, after a lengthy illness. Born December 2, 1935, in Wellsville, NY, he was the son of Calvin and Gladys Neff Morley.
On July 2, 1960, in Ulysses, PA, he married the love of his life, Pauline “Polly” Burdick, who survives. They celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary this past July.
A graduate of Ulysses High School, he earned a bachelor’s degree in history and mathematics education from Lock Haven University and a master’s degree in school administration from Alfred University. Stephen began his teaching career at Campbell Central School as a classroom teacher. Over his 41 years with the district, he served as a guidance counselor, high school principal, and finally, the district superintendent. He was devoted to the school and the Campbell community; both were a source of great pride. He thought of the students as well as the people he worked with as an extension of his family. Stephen was also a 33rd degree Mason. He was committed to the Masons because of the positive impact they made on the community.
Mary D. Dougherty, age 83, of Blossburg, PA, died on Saturday, December 7, 2024. She was born on January 8, 1941, in Philadelphia, PA, a daughter of the late Joseph Dougherty, Sr. and Mary (Connell) Dickson.
Mary was formerly employed as a manager for BCG Securities and was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Philadelphia, PA.
She enjoyed spending time with her family, cooking for impromptu family gatherings, playing cards, going to the movies, and traveling to the NJ Shore and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She also enjoyed spending time with her best friends Laura and DeAnna, going to dinner and the theater, and shopping in Skipack Village.
Mary is survived by three daughters: Theresa Bosler of Norristown, PA, Robyne Sautner of Blossburg, PA, and Traci Zevan, formerly of Philadelphia, PA. Sisters: Theresa Jackson of Ft. Meyers, FL; Veronica Bostick of Pottstown, PA; Rose Marie Ippolito of St.Augustine, FL; and 11 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 9 great-great-grandchildren. A foster son predeceased her: John J. Mulhern.
Services will be private and are entrusted to the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc. www.carletonfh.com Wellsboro, PA. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1948 E. 3rd St., Williamsport, PA 17701.
Thomas J. Curtin, 82, formerly of Clarendon, Pa, died on Tuesday December 10, 2024, at the Lutheran Home at Kane, PA., after a brief illness. He was born in Warren, Pa, on July 16, 1942, the son of the late Donald Joseph and Helen Ann Ronan Curtin. Tom was a Sheffield and Clarendon resident most of his life. He was a graduate of Sheffield High School Class of 1960.
He was an Eagle Scout with Boy Scout Troop 35 of Coudersport and Troop 36 Explorer Post, he also was member of Order of the Arrow, served as Vice Chief. Tom then graduated from Baldwin Wallace University and Clarion University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree of Education and a master’s degree in history and government. While in college, Tom was involved with the Public Relations Department and School Newspaper as their photographer.
